Raspberry plant named ‘NOBILITY’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing variety of raspberry plant named ‘NOBILITY’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: early-season primocane production with medium sized fruit of medium-red coloration. Fruit is of consistent conic shape, releases easily from receptacle, is glossy and possesses very good flavor. Foliage is flat to slightly convex, medium green; possessing medium rugosity, weak gloss and mostly 3-foliates. Primocanes have a weak waxy coat, medium thorn density of long spine length and have weak anthocyanin coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant clamed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: ‘NOBILITY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘NOBILITY’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in Watsonville, Calif. by the inventor, Scott W. Adams, in 2009 between raspberry variety designated ‘04.3721’ (unpatented) as the female parent and raspberry variety ‘RADIANCE’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,342) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus and was tested as ‘PS-09.082-06’ and ‘PS-8206’.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2011. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif., San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and Ventura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘NOBILITY’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on floricanes. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘NOBILITY’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Long spine length     -   2. Short internode length     -   3. Early primocane time of fruiting     -   4. Medium red fruit color     -   5. Weak primocane glaucosity     -   6. Very good flavor

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘NOBILITY’ is the raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’, ‘NOBILITY’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

COMPARISON BETWEEN NOBILITY AND GRANDEUR

TABLE 1 ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) Primocane waxy coat (glaucosity) Weak Absent to very weak Predominate number of leaflets Mostly 3 Always 3 Primocane time of fruiting Early Medium Rugosity Medium Strong Color mature fruit RHS 45A RHS 42A Medium red Medium red Thorn length at central 1/3 (mm) 3.04 0.76 Floricane coloration (true) RHS 165B RHS 164A Greyed- Greyed- orange group orange group

‘NOBILITY’ differs from its parents, ‘04.3721’ and ‘RADIANCE’ by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

COMPARISON BETWEEN NOBILITY, 04.3721 AND RADIANCE

TABLE 2 ’RADIANCE’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ ’04.3721’ (US PP20,342) Productivity Medium Medium Medium Glossiness (fruit) High Medium Medium Firmness (fruit) High Medium to low High Adherence of receptacle Very weak Strong Weak Primocane time Early Medium Early of fruiting Fruit size Medium Large Small Flavor Very good Poor Excellent

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety ‘NOBILITY’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘NOBILITY’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘NOBILITY’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately two to sixteen months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color, foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘NOBILITY’ taken in the month of July 2018;

FIG. 2 shows typical green fruit, pedicels and peduncles of ‘NOBILITY’ taken in the month of September 2019;

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of ‘NOBILITY’ taken in the month of July 2018; and

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of ‘NOBILITY’ taken in the month of February 2019.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘NOBILITY’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘NOBILITY’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2018-2019 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘NOBILITY’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the middle of October 2017 and planted approximately three to four weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is seven to eight months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘NOBILITY’ at an approximate age of sixteen to eighteen months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2017 through 2019 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The R.H.S. Colour Chart Fifth Edition, Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (1966).

The following tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘NOBILITY’ in comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459).

COMPARISON BETWEEN NOBILITY AND GRANDEUR

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDUER’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) Color mature fruit RHS 45A RHS 42A Medium red Medium red Color achenes RHS 159A RHS 159A Orange- Orange- white group white group Fruit length (mm) 23.28 22.91 Fruit width (mm) 20.60 20.12 Length/width ratio 1.13 1.14 Longer than Longer than broad broad Seed weight (mg) 1.79 1.75 Drupelets per berry 79 93 Weight of single drupe (g/drupe) 0.066 0.043 Drupe length (mm) 6.76 5.25 Drupe diameter (mm) 4.96 3.86 Relative size of drupes Large Medium Fruit size Medium Medium Fruit per node 12 15 Predominant shape Conical Conical Receptacle length (mm) 22.66 19.15 Receptacle diameter (mm) 9.09 10.32 Receptacle color RHS 155B RHS 155B White group White group Evenness of color (fruit) Even Even Glossiness High Medium Adherence of receptacle Very weak Very weak Firmness of flesh Firm Very firm Firmness of skin Firm Very firm Soluble solids (% brix) 11.0 10.5 Flavor Very good Good

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) General: Habit Upright Upright Plant height (m) 1.38 1.44 Plant width (cm) 38 45 Time to initiate roots (days) 12-14 12-14 Canes per hill 10.6 6.9 Productivity Medium High Self-fruitfulness Yes Yes Type of bearing Fall bearing Everbearing Primocane: Color (true) RHS 145B RHS 145B Yellow- Yellow- green group green group Length (cm) 138.1 143.6 Basal diameter (mm) 19.68 21.80 Diameter central 1/3 (mm) 14.04 12.55 Lateral length at central 1/3 (cm) 35.1 43.6 Number of fruiting laterals per cane 12.1 17.4 Total nodes per cane 34 31 Internode length at central 1/3 (mm) 41.07 48.84 Anthocyanin coloration RHS 59B RHS 59B Red-purple Red-purple group group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Weak Pubescence Absent Absent Vegetative bud length (mm) 7.37 11.01 Vegetative bud diameter (mm) 5.20 6.11 Vegetative bud shape Widely ovate Widely ovate Vegetative bud color RHS 187A RHS 187A Greyed-red Greyed-red group group Strength of waxy coat (glaucosity) Weak Absent to very weak Time of flowering Early Medium Time of fruiting Early Medium Length of fruiting season Long Long % of total yield 49% 50% Flowering period Late May to Late June to mid-November late November Harvest period Late June to Late July to early December late December Primocane fruit weight (g) 4.2 3.8 Primocane yield (g/plant) 2,269 2,662 Young Shoots: Number (per meter) 15-20 15-20 Medium Medium Anthocyanin presence Present Present Anthocyanin coloration RHS 179B RHS 179A Red-purple Greyed- group red group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium Thorns: Thorn coloration (tip) RHS 200A RHS 180C Brown group Greyed- red group Thorn coloration (base) RHS 145B RHS 145B Yellow- Yellow- green group green group Thorn length at central 1/3 (mm) 3.04 0.76 Thorn base at central 1/3 (mm) 2.02 1.53 Thorn presence Present Present Thorn density per cm at central 1/3 3.70 3.38 Medium Medium Thorn texture Rigid Rigid Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal Floricane: Color (true) RHS 165B RHS 164A Greyed- Greyed- orange group orange group Length (cm) 95.4 119.8 Width at central 1/3 (mm) 13.44 12.04 Total nodes per cane 19 18 Internode length at central 1/3 (mm) 43.00 49.13 Fruiting lateral attitude Erect Erect Time bud burst Medium Medium Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Medium to long Medium to long % of total yield 51% 50% Flowering period Late April to Late April to late June late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to late July late July Floricane fruit weight (g) 4.1 3.7 Floricane yield (g/plant) 2,292 2,680

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) Characteristic (3-Foliate) (3-Foliate) General: Color of upper surface RHS 137A RHS N137A Green group Green group Color of lower surface RHS 190B RHS 190B Greyed- Greyed- green group green group Venation Pinnate Pinnate Shape in cross section Flat to Flat to slightly convex slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Relief between veins (rugosity) Medium Strong Glossiness Weak Weak Number of leaflets per leaf Mostly 3 Always 3 Total leaf length (cm) 23.1 22.5 Total leaf width (cm) 24.0 23.4 Terminal Leaflet: Length (mm) 139.7 127.5 Width (mm) 105.2 91.6 Length/width ratio 1.3 1.4 Longer than Longer than broad broad Size Medium to Medium to large large Shape Cordate Cordate Shape of base Cordate Cordate Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (mm) 107.9 105.5 Width (mm) 67.9 65.1 Length/Width Ratio 1.6 1.6 Longer than Longer than broad broad Rachis length (mm) 35.8 36.2 Rachis diameter (mm) 2.45 1.92 Rachis anthocyanin coloration RHS 184C RHS 184A of upper surface Rachis anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium Orientation Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Overlapping Touching Touching Shape of the base Rounded Oblique rounded Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (mm) 45.90 59.00 Width (mm) 3.58 3.99 Thorn presence Yes Yes Thorn orientation Erect Erect Anthocyanin coloration RHS 184C RHS 184C of upper surface Greyed- Greyed- purple group purple group Anthocyanin intensity of Absent to Weak upper surface very weak Stipule length (mm) 9.31 10.23 Stipule orientation Erect Erect to horizontal

TABLE 6 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) Petal color (upper surface) RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Petal color (lower surface) RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Flower diameter (mm) 24.92 22.55 Petal Length (mm) 7.07 6.42 Petal width (mm) 3.37 3.11 Petal length/width ratio 2.10 2.06 Much longer Much longer than broad than broad Petal shape in cross section Flat Flat Petal shape (overall) Ovate Ovate Petal shape (apex) Rounded Rounded Petal shape (base) Attenuate Attenuate Petal margin Entire Entire Petal texture Glabrous Glabrous Number of petals per flower 5.5 5.2 Number of sepals per flower 5.5 5.2 Sepal length (mm) 10.01 11.20 Sepal width at base (mm) 5.22 6.49 Sepal shape Widely deltate Widely deltate Sepal shape (apex) Acuminate Acuminate Sepal coloration (upper surface) RHS 144A RHS 144B Sepal coloration (lower surface) RHS 144B RHS 144C Sepal margin Entire Entire Sepal texture Slightly Slightly pubescent pubescent Number of stamens per flower 81 105 Filament length (mm) 4.62 4.45 Filament color RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Pollen quantity Medium Medium Pollen color RHS 196D RHS 196D Anther length (mm) 1.10 0.79 Anther diameter (mm) 0.50 0.49 Anther coloration (pre-dehiscence) RHS 155C RHS 155C Anther coloration (post-dehiscence) RHS 165B RHS 165B Stigma shape Lobed Lobed Stigma length (mm) 0.11 0.10 Stigma diameter (mm) 0.42 0.40 Stigma coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D Style length (mm) 2.55 2.03 Style diameter (mm) 0.41 0.39 Style coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D Ovule length (mm) 1.55 1.51 Ovule diameter (mm) 1.46 1.40 Ovule coloration RHS 145B RHS 145B Pedicle length (mm) 21.56 23.86 Pedicle diameter (mm) 1.33 1.47 Pedicle anthocyanin coloration RHS 182B RHS 178A Pedicle anthocyanin intensity Absent to Medium very weak Relative number of pedicel thorns 23.5 16.2 Many Medium Peduncle anthocyanin presence Present Present Peduncle anthocyanin coloration RHS 182C RHS 184A Greyed-purple Greyed-purple group group Peduncle anthocyanin intensity Absent to Medium very weak

TABLE 7 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘NOBILITY’ (US PP20,459) Spotted wing drosophila Susceptible Susceptible (Drosophila suzukii) Two-spotted spider mite Susceptible Susceptible (Tetranychus urticae) Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible (Botrytis cinerea) Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately (Podosphaera aphanis var. aphanis) susceptible susceptible Yellow rust Moderately Moderately (Phragmidium rubi-idaei) susceptible susceptible 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named ‘NOBILITY’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 